When should you take pain seriously enough to head straight to the ER?
According to Dr. Michael Turturro, professor of emergency medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, the answer is simple:
If it’s new, sudden, or alarming — don’t ignore it.
It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Here are 5 types of pain that emergency doctors say you should never ignore:
️ 1. Sudden, severe pain that doesn’t go away
Anywhere in the body.
If it hits out of the blue and feels intense or unfamiliar — get checked out, even if it seems minor at first.
️ 2. Chest pain
Yes, it could be heartburn…
But it could also signal a heart attack or blood clot.
If you feel pressure, tightness, or pain in your chest — don’t wait it out.
3. Calf pain with redness or swelling
Especially after travel or surgery.
This could be a sign of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) — a blood clot that can travel to the lungs and become life-threatening.
4. Upper back pain that feels like tearing
This one’s less well known — but critical.
A “tearing” pain in the upper back may signal a tear in the aorta, the body’s largest blood vessel. This is a medical emergency.
5. Lower abdominal or side pain
If you feel pain in your lower belly or back — especially with fever, nausea, or vomiting — it could point to appendicitis, kidney stones, or a serious infection.
The bottom line:
Pain is your body’s red flag.
If it’s new, intense, or unexplained — don’t wait. Get checked. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
